Christmas Time in Tennessee  Russ arrived early on the morning of December 4th for the weekend festivities and participated in the grand opening of the new Tennessee office and warehouse space.

On Saturday, Mike and Tari hosted Water Management’s Tennessee office Christmas Party at their home in Franklin. The party was well attended by Dan, Bill, Chris, Mickey, Bob, James P., Jeff, Butch, Russ, and his daughter, Maria.

       

There was an abundance of yummy catered food, camaraderie and Christmas cheer throughout the evening!

                                                        

          NewsLeak December 2015 Volume 142

                                         

 Quality Statement

Water Management is committed to maintaining high

customer satisfaction with its

innovative water efficiency programs.

We will propose products and

services that are “fit for use” and that

will set the standard for quality and value in water efficiency.

We strive to be world class in every

aspect of water efficiency by

fostering a culture of honesty,

openness, mutual respect and teamwork.

Water Management understands the

necessity of continual

improvement (both as a company and as individuals) to keep us at the forefront

of water conservation and to

exceed customer expectations.

 

NewsLeak December 2015, Pg 2

Christmas in Alexandria  

Water Management’s Alexandria office held their annual Christmas party the morning of December 24, complete with a catered breakfast and visit from Santa and his Elf, Yvonne. All the arrangements for the party were made by Brenda and the office looked very festive for the fun-filled celebration.

        

        

                                                                                       

 

NewsLeak, December 2015, Pg 3

A Look at Our Service Department  

We provide water-saving services to over 50 Shared Savings and Contracted properties throughout D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. These services include replacement and repair of leaking toilets and kitchen and bathroom faucets. Our service technicians, Reggie Williams, Ward Corbin and Pastor Mackall have a combined total of 70 years of technical experience. Their expert skills are used on a daily basis to repair and replace toilets, tank vessels and flappers, as well as showerheads, aerators, and faucets. When fixtures need to be replaced, we use high-quality products that provide excellent performance and increase water-savings. Our technicians are in-tune with our customer’s concerns and use their problem solving skills to complete each job in a timely manner. We recently added Aaron Waldron to the Service Department and he is doing an excellent job. He has been working with our technicians to learn how to install tub decks, replace faucets and become skilled at making repairs and providing service to our customers. The service technicians are supervised by Pete Valentin who has worked for Water Management for 20+ years. He has increased his skills and technical knowledge over this time to achieve a high-level of expertise in his field, thereby making him an excellent resource to our technicians. We recently changed dispatch software and are now using MobiWork which will enable us to improve our daily operations. Brenda Pack is the Service Department Coordinator who prepares the technician’s weekly appointments. She provides a high-level of service to our customers by answering their questions and scheduling service calls for their repairs. Brenda has worked for Water Management for 8 years and has proved to be a great asset to the company by providing excellent customer service to our properties and their tenants. Jeanna Osborne provides back-up customer service for the department and has worked for Water Management for 5 years. Our main focus is in saving our most precious resource, water. We have been in the water conservation business for 35 years and counting and look forward to providing many more years of service to our valued customers.

                                                 Pete, Ward, Brenda, Reggie, Pastor, and Aaron 

 

NewsLeak, December 2015, Pg 4

Where in the World was Water Management this Month     

 The Wilson County Public Schools project in Tennessee is going strong and is now 40% complete. Working on this contract are Bill Harrison, Jeff Bell and Butch Deibler. 

Meanwhile, the El Reno FCI prison project in Oklahoma is moving right along and is 25% complete. Eddie & Giovany Gonzalez and Nery & Douglas Martinez began the project last month and should complete the work by the end of January.

In Hospitality news, Dan Sirakis, James Palmer and Danny Matthews were at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta hotel in Georgia to rebuild toilets and install showerheads from December 14 to the 23rd. While Bob Smith and James Benjamin were in New Orleans, Louisiana installing water saving measures at the Residence Inn New Orleans.

Another large project getting ready to begin is the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District in Birmingham, Alabama. Charlie Gildehaus along with Dan Sirakis, Bob Smith, Chris Anderson, and James Palmer were busy getting everything in place for this large-scale water saving project to begin in January.

                                   

What do students from the University of Maryland, Howard University and Catholic University of America have in common?

Many of them became more water-efficient over the Christmas break.

While students from these colleges living at the Towers at University Town Center, located in Hyattsville, Maryland, were away for Christmas break, Water Management’s expert team of technicians (Abdul Dodoo, James Benjamin, Dave Taylor, Pete Valentin, Dennis Porter, Kay Karoma, Aaron Waldron, Danny Matthews, and Alex Cimini) swept in and upgraded toilets, faucets and showers.

At the same time, over at The George Washington University in D.C., Mark Harewood, Buster & Brian Vroom, Nery & Douglas Martinez, and Russ Horner, went into Potomac House and Amsterdam & Fulbright Halls to install similar and more extensive water saving measures.

Built in 1992, the Towers at University Town Center is a luxury student living community, offering premium, off-campus housing. The property is managed by Greystar Student Living, a company with more than 60 years of combined experience in nationwide student markets and over 87 years in the multifamily management industry.

 

NewsLeak, December 2015, Pg 5

Multi‐Family Projects  

 

Thank‐You Letter for Service Department 

We received the following thank-you letter for Ward from a tenant at Riverside Condominium in D.C.:

“Thank you for the toilet fix in the bathroom off the master bedroom. I wanted to express my complete satisfaction in your work and my gratitude for the very reliable, expert service your company provides! It is wonderful to be able to have our leaking water issues handled by expert craftsmen.”

Corporate Responsibility Award 

Recently, The City of Alexandria Workforce Development Center hosted a roundtable discussion, inviting businesses to share their thoughts and experiences regarding our local workforce and recruiting.

Yvonne attended this roundtable discussion, and contributed to feedback regarding service delivery, applicant sourcing, recruiting practices, and retainment strategies. In addition, the Workforce Development Office shared local employment data, such as most-requested certifications in local job openings. Water Management was awarded a certificate of Corporate Responsibility for participating in the program.

 CREW MEMBERS 

 WORKSITE 

Kay, Dennis, James B. & Danny Cloisters Apts., D.C.

Dennis & Kay

Washington View Apts., D.C.

Dennis, James B. & Danny

Park Tanglewood Apts., MD

Dennis & Kay

Oakton Park Apts., VA

 

 

NewsLeak, December 2015, Pg 6

    Winter Driving Safety Tips from 

Travelers Insurance 

Falling snow can be picturesque, but it can also wreak havoc on the roads. While no one enjoys driving in snowy or slippery conditions, there are steps you can take to help improve your safety with these winter driving tips.

Here are some guidelines that can help you stay safe when driving in adverse weather condition:

Make sure your car is prepared for cold temperatures and wintery conditions like snow and ice. Keep your equipment

properly maintained and include a winter survival kit in your vehicle: an ice scraper, snow shovel and sand/salt.

Make sure all scheduled maintenance is up-to-date. Have your mechanic check fluids and hoses to help reduce the risk of a mechanical breakdown.

Clear snow and ice off your car – including windows, mirrors, lights, reflectors, hood, roof and trunk.

Drive with your headlights on, and be sure to keep them clean to improve visibility.

Use caution when snow banks limit your view of oncoming traffic.

Avoid using cruise control in snowy or icy conditions. In adverse conditions, you want as much control of your car as possible.

Know how to brake on slippery surfaces. Vehicles with anti-lock brakes operate much differently from those that do not have anti-lock brakes. You should consult your vehicle's owner's manual for instructions on how to brake properly if your vehicle should start to skid.

Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. This helps ensure you have a source of heat if you are stuck or stranded.

If you do venture out or are unexpectedly caught in a snowstorm and encounter problems, stay in your car and wait for help. You can run the car heater to stay warm for 10 minutes every hour, but make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow. There is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning if snow blocks the pipe and enables the deadly gas to build up in your car. Open your window slightly to help prevent the buildup.

Keep your windshield washer reservoir full, and make sure your car has wiper blades that are in good condition. Remember that speed limits are meant for dry roads, not roads covered in snow and ice. You should reduce your

speed and increase your following distance as road conditions and visibility worsen. Be cautious on bridges and overpasses as they are commonly the first areas to become icy. Avoid passing snow plows and sand trucks. The drivers can have limited visibility, and the road in front of them

could be worse than the road behind. Monitor road and weather conditions by checking local news stations or Internet traffic and weather sites.  If you must travel during a snowstorm or in blizzard conditions, be sure to let a relative, friend or coworker know

where you are headed and your expected arrival time. Avoid the temptation to check or be on your phone while driving as all of your attention should be on arriving safely.

 

NewsLeak, November 2015, Pg 7

Bouncing Bundle of Joy!

Chris and Sara Anderson became parents on December 19, at 10:51am when they welcomed Evelyn Mae Anderson into their family... to be known as Evie.

She came into the world weighing 8 lbs., 1 oz. and measured 18.5” long. Everyone is doing well and Chris says "she has certainly melted my heart!" Mom, Dad and big sister Peyton are over the moon!

     

                                  January Milestones 

  

                  

           

 

                                       

      

                               

Anniversaries Chris Boldon – 1 year (as rehire) Douglas Martinez – 2 years Spencer Horner – 5 years Cable Jones – 10 years Mark Hemphill – 18 years Rick Ferguson – 25 years

Congratulations!